Gas Turbine Duct Rupture Detection Using Segmented Thermistors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to accurately detect duct ruptures in gas turbine engines, leading to potential fires or costly repairs due to undetected leaks, and existing fire detection systems are prone to false alarms or inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A rupture detection system using thermistors to monitor temperature changes in ducts, distinguishing between normal operation and duct ruptures by employing separate sensing elements for duct temperatures and fire temperatures, connected to processors for timely alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a temperature detection system is used to detect duct ruptures, then the rupture can be detected and false fire detections avoided, but the system may still trigger false alarms or fail to distinguish between duct leaks and actual fires
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent temperature sensing elements distributed at different locations and with different thermal characteristics. This allows the system to detect temperature changes in specific zones without being overwhelmed by overall temperature rises, enabling better differentiation between localized duct leaks and general fire conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different temperature sensing elements have different thermal response characteristics tailored to their specific locations and functions. Some elements respond faster to rapid temperature changes (indicating fire), while others respond more slowly (indicating duct leaks). This local differentiation in thermal response enables accurate distinction between hazard types.
2Reliability
If overpressure release mechanisms are used to exhaust pressurized air from ruptured ducts, then the rupture can be detected by overpressure detectors, but the mechanisms render overpressure detectors ineffective by exhausting the pressurized air away from the nacelle
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature sensing elements serve as intermediaries to detect duct ruptures indirectly through temperature changes in the surrounding environment. Instead of relying on direct pressure detection that is compromised by air exhaustion, the system uses thermal fields that persist and can be detected even when pressurized air is being vented away from the nacelle.
3Reliability
If fire detection systems are used to detect duct ruptures, then ruptures can be detected, but the systems are prone to false alarms causing unnecessary engine shutdowns or extinguishment releases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system dynamically evaluates temperature changes over time and across multiple sensing elements. By analyzing the rate of temperature change and the spatial distribution of temperature rises, the system can distinguish between the rapid, localized heating of a duct rupture and the more gradual, distributed heating patterns of actual fire, reducing false alarms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors temperature fields and compares changes against established thresholds and patterns. When temperature changes indicate a duct rupture rather than fire, the feedback mechanism prevents false alarm responses. The system learns from historical data to improve its discrimination between hazard types over time.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively detects duct ruptures, preventing unnecessary engine shutdowns and reducing maintenance costs by differentiating between duct leaks and actual fires, ensuring timely intervention.
Implementation Method 1
A rupture detection system using thermistors to monitor temperature changes in ducts
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A system (350) for detecting a ruptured duct transporting a high-temperature fluid within a gas turbine engine (20) is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system (350) includes a rupture detection line (352; 452) configured to extend within a first fire zone (222; 322; 422) of the gas turbine engine (20); one or more rupture sensing elements (358; 458) in electrical communication with and disposed along the rupture detection line (352; 452), the one or more rupture sensing elements (358; 458) configured to detect a presence of a heated fluid having a heated fluid temperature less than a fire temperature; and a processor (362; 462) configured to monitor the one or more rupture sensing elements (358; 458).